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Recurring slip yoke clunk

Old Dec 1, 2010 | 08:11 PM
  #1  
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From: ALBERTA
Recurring slip yoke clunk

So I had a "clunk" everytime I took off @ the lights, thanks to this site I figured out that it was the slip yoke that needed grease. I got a can of the specific motorcraft teflon grease from the ford dealership and the problem went away... for about 2 weeks, so I relubed it again, & everytime it lasts about 2 weeks before it starts up again, I took the shaft off again and cleaned it and inspected it, nothing "seems" wrong with the female, or male end, they appear to have not burrs, chips or scratches. Is there anything else to look for? I would hate to have to cough up the $$ for a new driveshaft only to have the problem return, just wondering if anyone has the same returning issue or could make any recommendations, other than taking off the driveshaft every 2 weeks
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 04:00 AM
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Do you have a good driveshaft shop in your area? Or do you have ANY driveshaft shop in your area? They are the ones to deal with it, that's their business. We have several good ones in So. Cal. and they can do miracles.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 06:22 AM
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Mine has started this clunk too. Actually it's more like a shift, but I can still feel it doing this.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 01:09 PM
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I had my driveshaft replaced under warranty at 15,000 for the clunk and it's been problem free for the past 25,000 miles. The total bill for the replacement was right at 1100 granted i only had to pay the deductible. So if you go the dealership route expect to pay somewhere in that area.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 01:24 PM
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From: NorΩCal - East Bay
I had this clunk in my Chevy Tahoe for about 8 years and I used the Ford teflon stuff on the slip yoke. I would "fix" it for 12-14mos at a time. Every 2 weeks would drive me insane! I agree with the advice above and find a driveshaft company in your area. They can work on that yoke so it mates up perfectly. BTW, no driveline clunk in my F150...yet.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 01:35 PM
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I had the clunk and the dealer inspected it and said they could lube it but said it would not harm anything to just drive it. So I did. Then a few months later, the clunk went away and after a few months, returned. I just ignore it.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 01:44 PM
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i used john deere grease on mine about 3 months ago and the clunk hasnt come back yet
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 07:20 PM
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From: San Diego Ca
2006 2WD doing the same thing. When I get some time I'll try to lube my slip yoke up and see if that is really the case.

Does anyone have a write up on how to do this? Or is it pretty simple once you get under the truck?

thanks
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 07:51 AM
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I also had the "clunk" in the slip yoke. I asked the techs at Woody Anderson Ford in Huntsville Alabama what it was. They told me "We take the drive shaft out, clean it and use a special grease made by Ford, that is why when we fix it, it will last and not start clunking in a few thousand miles." Well, the guy who was given the job didn't even know what to do with it. I know this because I heard him tell the shop foreman "I don't know what to do with this." This made me feel really confident about getting the problem fixed at this point. Then they boogered up the metal clamp holding on the rubber boot, but didn't replace it. They didn't clean the driveshaft, and didn't put the special grease on it. Basically just slapped it back together and sent me on my way. Now I have to take it apart and clean it, and regrease it with a high quality grease. I will try the Amsoil grease designed to withstand impact without dissipating out. Love my truck, hate the warranty work. However this did stop the clunking so it definitely is in the slip yoke.
 

Last edited by Thor74; Dec 24, 2010 at 07:55 AM. Reason: grammar error
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 07:54 AM
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By the way I have a 2010 F150 Super Cab 5.4L with a 6.5 foot bed.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 10:02 AM
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Stupid question I'm sure but where do you apply the grease to stop the clunk? Do you have to remove the DS?
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 10:37 AM
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It's really simple, wish I didn't even go to the dealer, but wanted it documented just in case. On my truck, take out four bolts connecting driveshaft to rearend. Mark the position of driveshaft to rearend just in case it gets turned at the tranny, or back wheels. In the middle of the driveshaft by the carriage bearing, you will see a rubber boot, it is held on by metal clamps. You might could get the clamps loose and then re-use them. Anyhow, once you get the clamp loose, the driveshaft slips right out. I would reccommend cleaning everything thoroughly and applying a high quality grease, however slapping a glob of grease on like Woody Anderson Ford did has stopped the clunking for now.
 

Last edited by Thor74; Dec 24, 2010 at 10:41 AM. Reason: grammar/spelling
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Thor74
It's really simple, wish I didn't even go to the dealer, but wanted it documented just in case. On my truck, take out four bolts connecting driveshaft to rearend. Mark the position of driveshaft to rearend just in case it gets turned at the tranny, or back wheels. In the middle of the driveshaft by the carriage bearing, you will see a rubber boot, it is held on by metal clamps. You might could get the clamps loose and then re-use them. Anyhow, once you get the clamp loose, the driveshaft slips right out. I would reccommend cleaning everything thoroughly and applying a high quality grease, however slapping a glob of grease on like Woody Anderson Ford did has stopped the clunking for now.
Gotta love the Ford tech's! Thanks for the explanation!
 
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Old Dec 26, 2010 | 02:35 PM
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I used to have to re grease mine with almost every oil change, then had a brilliant idea. I removed the driveshaft, cleaned the yoke really well with brake cleaner, then I packed a ton of grease all the way at the back of the yoke. About 2" worth. It was tough getting the yoke back on with all that grease in there, but I have not had to relube for over 50K miles.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2010 | 07:57 PM
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From: Charlotte
I just got a new two piece drive shaft installed, what a difference!!! I know it will be short lived, but even a few months without the clunk will make it worth keeping. The dealership never even gave me a hard time, they said they would just go ahead and replace the entire thing (extended warranty). A plus is that the new one is not rusted.
 
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